Expandable pin for supporting parent reels in paper converting plants

ABSTRACT

Expandable pin for supporting reels of paper material, comprising an outer side (PX) and an inner side (PN), with the inner side (PN) that is adapted to be inserted into a reel ( 1 ) of paper material and with the outer side (PX) that remains on the outside of the same reel ( 1 ) when the inner side (PN) is inside the reel ( 1 ). An outer surface of said inner side (PN) is formed by more sectors ( 4 ), each of which is formed by a cylindrical surface portion with a free front part ( 40 ). The front parts ( 40 ) of said sectors ( 4 ) define a substantially circular shape with a diameter varying between a maximum value ( 4   a ) and a minimum value ( 4   c ). Each of said sectors ( 4 ) has a part pivoted on a respective hinge ( 42; 106 ) and is connected to moving means apt to determine its rotation around said hinge ( 42; 106 ) such that the sectors ( 4 ) define a cylindrical shape or a conical shape depending on their rotation around said hinge ( 42; 106 ).

The present invention relates to an expandable pin for supporting parent reels in paper converting plants.

It is known that the production of paper logs implies the feeding of a continuous paper web along a predetermined path. The paper web is transversely perforated at a predetermined point of said path so that it is divided into sheets of predetermined length separable by tearing. Furthermore, use is made of tubular elements (commonly said cores) on whose surface is applied a predetermined amount of glue to allow the glueing of the first sheet of the log to be formed. Moreover, use is made of winding rollers, positioned and acting in logs formation station, that cause the rotation of the core on which the paper is wound. The formation of a log ends when a given amount of paper is wound on the core. Then, another log is formed. When the formation of a log is completed, the last sheet of the log must be glued on the underlying sheet to avoid the spontaneous unwinding of the log. Each log is then subdivided into a plurality of shorter rolls by means of cutting-off machines.

In order to permit the proper running of the process, a paper converting plant always comprises an unwinder where are positioned the parent reels from which the paper web is fed. The unwinders comprise, in particular, base for supporting each parent reel and the latter can rotate about its longitudinal axis since it is attached to two supporting pins, each of which is removably inserted in a corresponding side of the parent reel. When the paper is unwound, the parent reel is on the base of the unwinder and the pins are inside the parent reel, while, generally, when the parent reel is almost exhausted and must be substituted, the pins are extracted to free it.

The present invention relates to the pins that support the parent reels in the unwinders and its scope is to simplify the loading of the parent reels on the unwinders and, respectively, the unloading and the handling of the parent reels.

This result is achieved, according to the present invention, by providing a device having the features indicated in claim 1. Other features of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

A pin according to the present invention can be inserted into the cores of the parent reels in a particularly simple and correct way. Moreover, a pin according to the present invention can be designed in such a manner that it can be kept hooked to an arm of a bridge crane while it is still supported by the unwinder supports. Furthermore, a pin according to the present invention is simple and economic in relation to the advantages it offers.

These and other advantages and features of this invention will be best understood by anyone skilled in the art thanks to the following description and to the attached drawings, provided by way of example but not to be considered in a limiting sense, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pin according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows the expandable pin of FIG. 1 with two sectors removed to better show the inside;

FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the pin shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is a section along line A-A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4B shows a group of components isolated from the unit shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4A but shows the pin in the compressed configuration instead of the expanded configuration;

FIGS. 6-11 schematically show a sequence of steps concerning the handling of the pin by means of a bridge crane, where the parent reel is shown in FIG. 11 only to illustrate the movements more clearly;

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of the parent reel with the pins inserted in the opposite ends of the respective core;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are two details of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 15-18 show a further embodiment of an expandable pin according to the present invention.

A pin (P) according to the present invention is of the type intended to be inserted into the core (10) of a parent reel (1) in an unwinder of a paper converting plant.

The pin (P) has an outer side (PX) and an inner side (PN), the inner side (PN) being destined to be inserted into the core (10) of the reel (1) and the outer side being external to the same reel (1) when the inner side (PN) is inside the core (10). In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 the outer side (PX) is on the right while the inner side (PB) is on the left. The pin (P) is substantially simmetrical with respect to a central longitudinal axis (x-x).

The outer side (PX) of the pin (P) is constituted by a shank (2) whose longitudinal axis coincides with the longitudinal axis (x-x) of the pin (P). On said shank (2) is fixed a handle (3), formed by two parallel arms (30) emerging radially from the shank (2) and joined by a body (31) parallel to said longitudinal axis (x-x). The handle (3) is applied on the upper side of the shank (2), i.e. on the side of the latter which, in operation, is turned upwards. The shank (2) is hollow.

According to the example shown in the drawings, the inner side (PN) of the pin (P) is expandable: said inner side is expanded (as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) when it is inserted in the core (10) of the reel (1) so as to engage the latter, while it is compressed (as shown in FIG. 5) in order to be inserted in the core (10) or disengaged from the reel.

The outer surface of the inner side (PN) is formed by a plurality of sectors (4), four in number in this example, each of which is formed by a portion of cylindrical surface with a free front end (40) and a rear end (41). The pin (P) also comprises a body (5) having: a rear part (50) inserted longitudinally in the hollow shank (2) with the interposition of bearings (51); a front part (52) turned towards the front end (40) of the sectors (4) and consisting of a longitudinal extension of the rear part (50); and an outer cup-shaped part (53), whose inner diameter (d53) is greater than the outer diameter of the shank (2), in an intermediate point between the rear part (50) and the front part (52). In practice, the rear part (50) of body (5) is inserted in the shank (2), the intermediate part (53) is external to the shank that in part (i.e. on its most advanced part) is inside the cup-shaped intermediate part (53), and the front part (52) constitutes a prolongation of the body (5) that, as shown in the drawings, is internal to the sectors (4).

The rear end (41) of each sector (4) is constrained to the cup (53) of the body (5) by a pin (42) inserted in a radial wing (54) projecting externally from the same cup (53). Said wings (54), in this example, are four in number and are arranged at an angular distance of 90° from each other. The axis of each pin (42) is oriented along a tangential direction relative to the shank (2) whose surface is cylindrical. In addition, each pin (42) is spaced apart a predetermined value from the outer surface of the shank (2), being inserted in a wing (54) which acts as a spacer.

According to the example shown in the drawings, the sectors (4) are identical to each other and are separated by separation lines or discontinuities (S4) so as to allow their movement (as further described below) without interference. Furthermore, in the example, each of the sectors (4), seen from above, has a trapezoidal shape with the larger base in correspondence with its rear side (41).

Each sector (4) is also constrained to the front part (52) of said body (5) via a connecting rod (55) hinged on one side (lower side) on a collar (56) mounted longitudinally slidable on the front (52) of the body (5) and, on the opposite side (upper side), on the inner surface of the respective sector (4). The connection of the connecting rod (55) to the collar (56) is formed by a pin (57) whose axis is parallel to the pin (42) that connects the rear part (41) of the sector (4) to the respective wing (54) of the cup (53); the connection of the same connecting rod (55) to the inner side of the sector (4) is made by means of a further pin (58) parallel to the previous one (57).

In front of the front end of the front part (52) of the body (5) is arranged a pneumatic spring (6) placed between two plates (60, 61) that are orthogonal to said axis (x-x). The first plate (60) has a rear extension (62) which acts as a spacer and is fixed to the front end of the front part (52) of the body (5). The second plate (61) is on the opposite side with respect to the pneumatic spring (6). Several rods (63) connect the second plate (61) with said collar (56): each rod (63) is fixed on one side to the second plate (61) and, on the opposite side, to a rear appendix (560) of the collar (56) and passes freely through a respective hole formed in the first plate (60). On each of the rods (63) is mounted a helical spring (64). The rods (63) and the helical springs (64) are oriented parallel to said axis (x-x) and are four in number in the example shown in the drawings.

When the pneumatic spring (6) is discharged, that is, compressed, the action of the helical springs (64) is such as to maintain the collar (56) set back on the part (52) of the body (5): in this condition the rear part of the collar (56) is pushed by the springs (64) against an abutment surface (59) exhibited by the body (5) between its intermediate part (53) and the front part (52), and the sectors (4) are open, with the connecting rods (55) oriented along a radial direction, relative to the axis (x-x), that is oriented parallel to the load acting on the pin (P). The sectors (4) are kept normally open by the springs (64).

When the pneumatic spring (6) is charged, i.e. expanded, the resistance of the springs (64) is overcome and the collar (56) advances, together with the foot of the connecting rods (55), whereby the sectors (4) are closed with reciprocal approaching of the respective front ends (40).

The compressed air is introduced into the pneumatic spring (6), or removed, through a longitudinal through hole (5F) formed in the body (5). In this way, the sectors (4) can be opened and closed by rotating them about the pins (42).

Therefore, an expanding pin in accordance with the example described above uses an external source of energy to switch between an expanded configuration to a contracted configuration. In the example, the energy supplied from the outside is conveyed by compressed air.

The front ends (40) of the sectors (4) form a substantially circular shape whose outer diameter (4 a; 4 c) varies according to the configuration (open/closed) of the same sectors (4) between a maximum value (4 a) and a minimum value (4 c). Advantageously, the difference (Δ) between said maximum value (5 a) and said minimum value (4 c) is between 10% and 30% of the maximum value (4 a): 0.30*(4 a)≧Δ=(4 a−4 c)≧0.10*(4 a).

Preferably, said difference (Δ) is comprised between 15% and 20% of the maximum value (4 a): 0.20*(4 a)≧Δ=(4 a−4 c)≧0.15*(4 a).

More preferably, said difference (Δ) is comprised between 15% and 18% of the maximum value (4 a): 0.18*(4 a)≧Δ=(4 a−4 c)≧0.15*(4 a).

FIGS. 6-11 show a possible sequence of movements related to the loading of a parent reel (1) on an unwinder (S) provided, on each of its sides, with a movable semi-collar (SM) controlled by an actuator (AS) that—in a manner per se known—by means of levers (LS) makes it rotate clockwise (closing direction) or counterclockwise (opening direction) above a fixed support cradle (SF): when the pin (P) is above the cradle (SF), the rotation of the movable semi-collar (SM) in a clockwise direction causes the engagement of the outer part (PX) of the pin (P) with the respective side of the unwinder (S). On the contrary, the counterclockwise rotation of the movable semi-collar (SM) determines the release of the pin (P) from the unwinder (S).

In FIG. 6 the parent reel (1) with the pins (P) inserted in both ends of its core (10) is hooked to the movable arms (BC) of the bridge crane (CP) while the mobile semi-collars (SM) of unwinder (S) are open. In particular, each movable arm (BC) of the bridge crane (CP) is provided, on its free end, with a movable hook (G) which, in turn, has a hook-shaped free end to be more easily placed under the body (31) of the handle (3). The hook (G) is hinged on the free end of said movable arm (BM) by a pin with horizontal axis (PG) and has a rear side connected to a pneumatic spring (MP) by which the same hook (G) can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about the pin (PG). The movement of the movable arm (BC) is controlled by a respective actuator (AP).

In FIG. 7 the movable arm (BM) of the bridge crane (CP) has been lowered by means of the actuator (AC), the pin (P) is on the cradle (SF) of the unwinder (S), the hook (G) holds the handle (3) and the mobile semi-collars (SM) are open.

In FIG. 8, while the hook (G) still retains the handle (3) of the pin (P), the semi-collars (SM) are rotated clockwise to lock the pin (P) to the unwinder (S).

In FIG. 9 the hook (G) of the bridge crane (CP) is rotated to release it from the handle (3) of the pin (P).

Since the arms (BC) of the bridge crane (CP) are moved to obtain their mutual approach and spacing, as schematically shown by the double arrow “FB” in FIG. 12, the same arms (BC) are apt to provide for the insertion of pins (P) in the two ends of the core (10) of the reel (1) and, respectively, for their disconnection.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show the mobile arm of the bridge crane that moves away from the unwinder (S).

To disengage the reel (1) with pins (P) from the unwinder (S) the sequence is opposite to that described above.

As previously mentioned, the handle (3) on the pin (P) allows the hooking of the latter to the respective arm of the bridge crane while the same pin (P) is still on the unwinder (S).

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15-18, the sectros (4) are hinged at an intermediate point instead of a rear point thereof. In particular, the body (5) is not provided with the cup (53) mentioned before and a flange (100) takes the place of the radial wings (54). The flange (100) is fixed to the abutment (59) provided by the body (5) at a predetermined distance from the front part (52). Each sector (4) is hinged to the flange (100) by means of a first lever rod (101). The latter is positioned between the inner side of the sector (4) and the body (5). The first lever rod (101) has a rear part hinged to the flange (100) through a first pin (102) which is oriented orthogonally to the sheet in FIGS. 15 and 16. At its front part, the first lever rod (101) is hinged to the inner side of the sector (4) by means of a second pin (103) that is parallel to the first one (102). A second, shorter, lever rod (104) has a first end hinged to the same second pin (103) and a second end hinged to the external side of a bush (105) through a third pin (106). The third pin (105) is parallel to the first pin (102) and the second pin (103). The bush (105) can slide over the front part (52) of the body (5) and is fixed to the piston (107) of a pneumatic cylinder whose chamber (108) is fixed to the front end of the body (5) that, also in this example, is provided with the longitudinal hole (5F) through which compressed air can be injected. The bush (105) is provided with extensions (109) oriented parallel to the body (5). A spring (110) is mounted on each extension (109) of the bush (105), between the latter and the flange (100). A spring (111) connects the front end of each sector (4) with the external side of said chamber (108). Thus, injecting compressed air through the hole (5F), it is possible to move the sectors (4).

It is noted that, according to both the examples disclosed above, the sectors (4) are associated with driving means that make each sector (4) to rotate a respective axis (the axis defined by pins 42 according to the first example; the axis defined by the pins 106 according to the second example), such that the expandable pin can assume a substantially cylindrical shape (as in FIGS. 4B and 15) or a substantially conical shape (as in FIGS. 5 and 16). According to the first example, each of said sectors (4) has a rear part (41) pivoted on a respective hinge (42) and an intermediate part connected to moving means apt to determine its rotation around said hinge (42). According to the second example, each of said sectors (4) has an intermediate part pivoted on a respective hinge (106), the same intermediate part being connected to moving means apt to determine its rotation around said hinge (106).

In practice the execution details may vary in any equivalent way in relation to the elements described and shown in the drawings, without departing from the adopted solution idea and then remaining within the limits of the protection granted by the present patent. 

1. An expandable pin for supporting reels of paper material, the expandable pin comprising: an outer side and an inner side, the inner side being adapted to be inserted into a reel of paper material and the outer side remaining on an outside of the reel when the inner side is inside the reel, wherein an outer surface of said inner side is formed by sectors, each of the sectors being formed by a cylindrical surface portion with a free front part to provide a number of free front parts, the front free parts of said sectors defining a substantially circular shape with a diameter varying between a maximum value and a minimum value, each of said sectors having a part pivoted on a respective hinge and each of said sectors being connected to a moving means for determining rotation of a respective sector around said respective hinge such that the sectors define a cylindrical shape or a conical shape depending on rotation of each of the sectors around said respective hinge.
 2. An expandable pin according to claim 1, wherein a difference (Δ) between said maximum value (4 a) and said minimum value (4 c) is comprised between 10% and 30% of the value maximum (4 a): 0.30*(4 a)≧(4 a−4 c)≧0.10*(4 a).
 3. An expandable pin according to claim 1, wherein a difference (Δ) between said maximum value (4 a) and said minimum value (4 c) is comprised between 15% and 20% of the maximum value (4 a): 0.20*(4 a)≧Δ=(4 a−4 c)≧0.15*(4 a).
 4. An expandable pin according to claim 1, wherein a difference (Δ) between said maximum value (4 a) and said minimum value (4 c) is comprised between 15% and 18% of the maximum value (4 a): 0.18*(4 a)≧Δ=(4 a−4 c)≧0.15*(4 a).
 5. An expandable pin according to claim 1, wherein each of said sectors has a rear part pivoted on a respective hinge and an intermediate part connected to the moving means.
 6. An expandable pin according to claim 1, wherein the outer part comprises a cylindrical shank having an internal cavity and the inner side comprises a body having: a rear part inserted longitudinally into the internal cavity of the shank with interposition of bearings; a front part turned towards a front end of the sectors and the front part comprising a longitudinal extension of the rear part; and an outer cup-shaped part having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the cylindrical shank, in an intermediate area between the rear part and the front part, so that the rear part of the body is inserted in the cylindrical shank, the outer cup-shaped part being external to the cylindrical shank that in part is inserted into the outer cup-shaped part, and the front part constitutes an extension of the body which is internal to the sectors.
 7. An expandable according to claim 6, wherein a rear end of each sector is constrained to the outer cup-shaped part of the body by a pin inserted in a radial wing projecting externally from the outer cup-shaped part, wherein an axis of each pin is oriented in a tangential direction with respect to the cylindrical shank, and each pin is spaced by a predetermined value from an outer surface of the cylindrical shank being inserted in a radial wing which acts as a spacer.
 8. An expandable pin according to claim 6, wherein: each sector is bound to the front part of the body via a connecting rod hinged to a lower side of a collar mounted longitudinally slidable on the front part of the body and, from an opposite upper side, on an inner surface of a respective sector; connection of the connecting rod to the collar is made by a first pin with an axis parallel to a second respective pin which connects the rear part of a respective sector to a respective wing of the outer cup-shaped part; connection of the connecting rod to an inner side of a respective sector is made by means of a further pin parallel to the first pin.
 9. An expandable pin according to claim 6, wherein in front of a front end of the front part of the body is disposed an air spring placed between two plates that are perpendicular to an axis of the body.
 10. An expandable pin according to claim 9, wherein: a first plate of said two plates has a rear extension which acts as a spacer and the rear extension is fixed to the front end of the front part of the body and a second plate of the two plates is on an opposite side with respect to the air spring; a plurality of rods connect said second plate with a collar, each rod being fixed on one side to the second plate and on the opposite side to a rear appendix of the collar and each rod passing freely through a respective through hole provided in the first plate; on each of the rods is fitted a helical spring; said rods and said helical springs are oriented parallel to said axis of the body.
 11. An expandable pin according to claim 10, wherein, when the pneumatic spring is discharged, action of the helical springs is such as to maintain the collar on the rear part of the body and a rear part of the collar is pushed by the helical springs against an abutment surface provided by the body between an intermediate part of the body and the front part, and the sectors are open with connecting rods in a radial position relative to the axis of the body, that is oriented parallel to a load acting on the expandable pin, the sectors being maintained normally open by the helical springs, wherein when the pneumatic spring is charged, a resistance of the helical springs is overcome and the collar advances, together with a foot of the connecting rods, such that the sectors move towards each other with mutual approach of respective ends of the sectors.
 12. An expandable pin according to claim 1, wherein said moving means is an elastic moving means.
 13. An expandable pin according to claim 12, wherein said elastic moving means comprises a plurality of helical springs.
 14. An expandable pin according to claim 12, wherein said elastic moving means comprises a pneumatic spring.
 15. An expandable pin according to claim 1, wherein the outer side is provided with a hooking portion delimited by an eyelet.
 16. An expandable pin according to claim 15, wherein the outer side is constituted by a shank, the shank comprising a shank longitudinal axis, the shank longitudinal shank axis coinciding with a longitudinal axis of the pin and said eyelet is formed on the shank and said eyelet comprises two parallel arms emerging radially from the shank and joined by a body parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 17. An expandable pin according to claim 16, wherein said eyelet is applied on an upper side of the shank.
 18. An expandable pin according to claim 1, wherein said sectors are normally positioned in such a way that said diameter assumes the maximum value.
 19. An expandable pin according to claim 1, wherein the expandable pin uses an external source of energy to switch from an expanded configuration to a contracted configuration.
 20. An expandable pin according to claim 19, wherein the energy supplied from outside is conveyed by compressed air.
 21. An expandable pin according to claim 1, wherein each of said sectors has an intermediate part pivoted on a respective hinge, the intermediate part being connected to the moving means. 